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Forum
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RE: Newbie about to pull the trigger... last minute advice?
Definetly go for a hitch and have the dealer set it up and wire the trailer plug if you don't have one. I'm assuming the trailer has good ground clearance.
You'll need a 3000 watt generator at minimum to power the A/C. I would get a Honda 3000 and look for one that has a remote electric start. It's a nice feature. You'll need to do a google search. Be sure to get a very good lock, chain or cable to prevent theft. Better yet have a box added to the TT to keep the generator in.
Have the dealer show you how everything works and take notes. Ask lots of questions and look for missing stuff. Knobs,straps and other doodads walk away when a trailer sits on a lot for a long time.
Don't be disappointed if your Jeep turns into a dog when towing the trailer. Even at less thn 2000lbs for the trailer and gear, you're going to be putting a lot of stress on the jeep. So sit back and enjoy the scenery as it goes by at 55 MPH or slower.
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the bear II
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05/25/12 04:16pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: The goods, and the bads of a Gas MH
The Four Winds models seem to offer a lot for the money. Our friends have a Hurricane and I was impressed with all it had for a reasonable price. He travels in the mountains of California and Nevada usually towing a Jeep without any problems.
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the bear II
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05/25/12 04:07pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: How to compare simular models from diff. manufacturers
I would search on forums like this and see what owners and others have said about the brands. Also look at websites like Trailer/Motorhome life, consumer reports for reviews.
When my wife and I looked, I would look for stuff on the outside like storage, ground clearance, location of electric, water, dump valves, batteries etc. She would look at the decor and floorplan inside. If we were both happy then the RV would go on our list of possibles.
All of the brands you mention are at the top of our list. Also we like the big Safari Motorhomes. If we were in the market today I would go for a Tiffin Phaeton or Safari floorplan that we like.
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the bear II
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05/25/12 04:02pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Gray Water Tank Overfill
Never trust your holding tank guages...they are rarely correct and very difficult to keep clean.
Your gray water tank will overflow into the lowest drain (Usually Shower)when it's overfull.
Most RV'ers learn over several trips how long they can go before having to dump black or gray water tanks. If boondocking we can usually go for 10 days without dumping in our 37ft 5th wheel (big tanks) because we conserve water. With hookups, I dump the black tank weekly and gray stays open.
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the bear II
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05/25/12 03:53pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Newbie Questions
I've been in some high end RV Resorts and have seen TCs. I know there are some resorts that are motorhome only so a truck camper would be refused.
The camper would have to be self contained to qualify for some RV parks/resorts.
I've seen plenty of cars towed behind TCs. On dolleys, flatbed trailers, enclosed trailers and 4 wheels down. Go to any offroad area and you'll see lots of fourwheel drive vehicles towed behind TC setups.
The biggest problem is safely getting a hitch beyond the camper overhang.
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the bear II
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05/25/12 01:20pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 5th wheel manual crank
Dick,
I tried using a 14v Black and Decker that came in a kit I carry in my RV. It didn't have the power. I would use an 18V hammer drill type.
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the bear II
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05/25/12 11:16am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Office on Wheels
In our 5th wheel we had a free standing dining table and 4 chairs. We ordered on line one of these http://www.amazingmagictable.com/twodesk.htm
It along with the dining table creates a nice L shaped work area that is easy to switch back to a dining area. Some folks have removed a built in dinette and replaced with this setup.
We have an HP Touchsmart computer which is a large flat screen monitor with the computer guts built inside so no separate tower. We have an all in one printer and can use WiFi or aircards or tether to cellphone to get the internet.
The setup works well and is very comfortable even on a long work day.
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the bear II
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05/24/12 03:53pm |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: RV Parking City Ordnances
Quite a few cities have become RV unfriendly for a couple of reasons.
Most claim the RVs are a safety hazard if parked on the street. Too big for neighbors to see around when backing out of driveways. Create a bottleneck due to width. But overall it's probably more like the neighbors consider them unsightly.
Another reason is as other cities create parking bans the RVs were being brought in from a nearby city with a ban into a city with no parking ban. Our city council claimed there were 250 RVs parked in the city that were registered in our cities. I can't believe 250 owners would leave their RV unattended parked in some other city.
Due to the economy people/families are living in RVs
We have always kept ours in a nearby RV storage lot. Originally it was as a safety measure so thieves wouldn't know we were gone. An RV that is always parked at a house is a sure sign the residents are gone if the RV is gone.
Since our city became unfriendly a few years ago we always keep a set of clothes and toiletries in the RV and pack whatever is needed for the trip in our truck. We close up the house, go over to the lot hitch up and leave from there. We stop along the way or wait until we get to our destination to buy groceries.
Our city requires a $25 fee to register your RV with the city. Then you can buy passes for $10 that allow you to park your RV or a guest RV in front of your house for 24 hours. You can only buy 90 days worth of passes per year.
I refuse to pay any fee so we just leave from the RV lot.
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the bear II
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05/24/12 03:38pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: walk through
Make sure they give you a fuel tank of fuel and propane if they fill tanks at their facility.
Make sure all the littl doodads are provided you'll need for awnings, dump tanks, electrical, water and appliances. Sometimes these are taken out of new vehicles and put elsewhere to prevent theft on the lot. That's why it's good to have them show you how everything works if a doodad is missing they should catch it while demonstrating.
Go early as soon as they open so you can spend as much time as possible in case there's a problem. You don't want to wait until 2 hours before closing and not have time to check out everything.
Take lots of notes so you will have something to refer back to while out on your first few trips.
Enjoy....
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the bear II
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05/24/12 01:50pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New shocks needed???
We can tow 10 times with nothing inside the fiver moving and then all of a sudden even over the same roads it looks like a bomb went off inside. I haven't been able to explain it but it seems there are 5th wheel gremlins. They mess with your mind....
I believe one of two things happen, just a little too quick on the brakes or a quick steering manuever causes stuf to move around. Maybe catch a little bump just right.
If you look back while going over a bump and see the 5th wheel bouncing up and down more than three times you may need to replace the shocks. Otherwise chock up the movement to the gremlins.
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the bear II
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05/24/12 01:42pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Norcold not cooling in motion
Well it's like when I finally brokedown and put a transmisson temp sensor on one of my trucks I towed with. I had been towing with the truck for years and never worried about the transmission temperature and never had any problem.
I got a good buy on a temp sensor and guage so I installed it. Then all of the sudden I began worrying about how high the temp was getting while towing up a steep hill. Same hill I had towed up every year for 5 years with the truck and 5th wheel. I pulled over to let the transmission cool down. It cooled down quickly. I still drive that same truck 5 years later with the same transmission and have never had a problem with it.
Long story but the moral of the story...some stuff you just shouldn't know or you will worry about it unecessarily. Most RV'ers drive with their refrigerators off. As long as the door isn't opened you can go for several hours before the temp gets above a safe level.
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the bear II
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05/24/12 09:17am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Front slides
Anytime my slide won't work it's the circuit breaker that has tripped. I don't have your type of RV so I can't tell you where it is.
Mine is located on the main wiring backboard near the battery bypass. The circuit breakers are very small, about the size of AA battery but not round they are rectangular with wires or screws at each end. They are black with a micro switch for the reset button. Push in on the switch to reset.
Most slides also have a manual crank in feature.
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the bear II
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05/24/12 09:04am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Oh that smell. I now have it.
I would use a deoderizer holding tank chemical like Thetford's AquaChem.
It will mask the smell with a pine scent and help digest any leftover waste.
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the bear II
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05/24/12 08:56am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Hot weather camping
If it was California I would say don't bother...it's very difficult to get a spot without reservations.
For heat and humidity...shade is the best solution. We put out all of the awnings and keep the blinds closed on every window except the window under the big patio awning. If we have 30 amps we turn on the A/C when we arrive and don't turn it off until we leave. Stay indoors from about 10AM to dusk and watch movies, read, do crafts or play games. Use fans if needed to help with cooling.
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the bear II
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05/22/12 12:09pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Making choices and plans
Typical salesperson who doesn't know how o sell properly. One of the first rules of sales is to never critize your competition. You explain why your MH will meet the customer's needs instead.
First rule is the customer is always right.
You'll have to search hard to find a true salesperson but once you find one you'll know it. If you're not looking for new...I've heard pplmotorhomes is a great place to shop. I'm sure they've done business with folks in Canada, so they should know what is required to get a unit to you. Do a google search for pplmotorhomes.
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the bear II
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05/22/12 12:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Why do I feel like appoligizing....??
People make their own choices. We chose to go with a large 5th wheel with all the bells and whistles mostly because that's the way we've always done things. We have found that if you buy the top of the line, you end up with something that performs better and lasts longer. We didn't have kids so we had extra money to spend. We started off in tents, campers, TT and now a 5th wheel, we've paid our dues.
Our friends chose to have kids and all that comes with raising children. Most of them didn't RV but would tent camp from time to time. Now that the kids are grown up and leaving the nest several have bought RVs.
I bet your eye rollers don't think twice about flying to Hawaii for vacation or staying in hotels and eating at restaurants during their travel by plane or car.
We each make our own choice and I'm really happy with the choice we've made. I would never fault anyone for choosing to spend their money in a way that makes them happy.
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the bear II
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05/21/12 04:53pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Advice/Help needed
Whiskey Pete,
You're going to have to determine what weight of 5th wheel your truck can safely tow. Once you have that weight then you need to find a fifth wheel that has a lower rated weight. You want to give yourself a good margin of safety so look for a 5th wheel that is rated at least 1000lbs at maximum capacity under what your truck is rated at.
I've seen 28ft 5th wheels with space for a washer dryer combo unit. But most are in the 32 foot plus range with multiple slides, so the weight can be significant.
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the bear II
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05/21/12 03:06pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 93 safari continental friend want to buy
The good thing about Safari MHs are the floorplans. The owner of the company was a big guy so he made sure all of the floorplans provided plenty of room to move around with no bottle neck areas in the walkways. We have always liked the Safari MHs and they have been at the top of our list if we changed to a MH from a 5th wheel.
Another consideration is the engine, transmission and drivetrain is based on the same units used in commercial fleet vehicles. The lifespan designed into these components to provide lots of problem free miles. Most DP MH should last 500K plus miles without major failures if properly maintained and not abused.
So like others have said the service records are important as well as an inspection by a qualified mechanic.
Once you practice driving a 40 footer it becomes second nature. With any new RV the first thing I do is head to a big empty parking lot and practice. Parking, panic stops, quick maneuvers, backing and parallel parking until I'm comfortable with the unit.
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the bear II
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05/18/12 02:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Personal Question $$$
RVs kind of plateau in value as they age. Once an RV reaches about 10 years in age depending on size and type and condition the resale value ends up about 1/3 of the original price. At 5 years the resale is about 2/3 to 1/2 of the original price.
Once the age hits 15 years then the price kind of freezes at 1/4 the original price and stays there. Then as the condition deteriorates you begin to see hundreds of dollars in value drop off as the years go by.
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the bear II
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05/18/12 02:39pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Camping VS Hotels
Buying camping gear before the trip will eliminate any savings you might see by tent camping along the way. If you already have the gear, you will save money by tent camping instead of staying in hotels and eating in restaurants.
By staying in the state or national parks you are closer to all of the attractions they have to offer. I can remember camping as a teen and not enjoying while I was on the trip but now I look back and am glad I was dragged along. I mostly remember the wonderful awe inspiring sights we saw.
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the bear II
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05/16/12 10:03am |
Family Camping
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